The Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill 2025 will be published in the Government Gazette tomorrow with the aim of introducing a regulatory regime for ride-hailing services to enhance public safety for travellers.

Under the proposed regulatory regime, platforms, vehicles and drivers providing ride-hailing services must obtain appropriate licences/permits and meet their conditions as imposed by the Transport Department.

The Government will set entry thresholds based on operational experience, proof of financial capacity, capital investment, and directors' qualifications for platforms applying for operation. Additionally, the company concerned must be registered in Hong Kong.

The platforms must also maintain appropriate and efficient services and conduct due diligence on their vehicles and drivers.

Regarding ride-hailing vehicles, the Government proposes that vehicles must be registered in the name of an individual and can only be operated by their registered owners. Furthermore, such vehicles must hold appropriate third-party risk insurance and display identification markings for identification purposes.

As for ride-hailing vehicle drivers, the applicants must meet a series of conditions and complete a specified test. These conditions include being at least 21 years of age, holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card, and having no serious traffic conviction records within the five years preceding the application date.

The Transport & Logistics Bureau explained that in devising the legal framework, the Government has prioritised public safety, adding that the aim is to provide the public with more safe, legally compliant and diverse travel options, while ensuring the healthy and orderly development of the overall point-to-point transport service industry and creating a competitive environment.

The Government also proposes introducing new measures to combat illegal activities of carrying passengers for hire or reward, the bureau added.

The amendment bill will be tabled at the Legislative Council on September 10 for first and second readings following its gazettal.